Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid

Wrinkles between eyebrows	6 months after the injection
Nasolabial line	6 months after the injection

Collagens Used for Aesthetic Procedures

There are two types of collagen used as injection material for aesthetic and plastic procedures. Collagen made in Japan was approved by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry in 1986 and collagen made in the U.S. was approved by the ministry in 1987 as injection material. These collagens are made from cow skin, but some patients might not feel comfortable with injection of collagen made from cow skin. Our clinic uses human collagen produced in the U.S. and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Human collagen, synthesized by bio technology, is free from allergen and concerns of mad cow disease. Request for official approval of the aesthetic use of human collagen has been submitted to the Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry in 2005. Human collagen has not received official approval from the ministry as of April, 2007. Pig collagen has also come into the market around 2005. Pig collagen is used mainly in Europe due to its lower cost than that of human collagen. Our clinic has not adopted the use of pig collagen.

About Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is one of the mucolytic that exists in the living organism. Hyaluronic acid exists in various human tissues such as skin, joints and eyeballs. In the medical world, injection of hyaluronic acid into joints and eyeballs is commonly performed with insurance coverage. Our clinic uses “Puragen”, dermal filler developed from hyaluronic acid by Mentor Corporation. Puragen is absorbed by the body more slowly than the conventional hyaluronic acid products, thus maintains skin’s elasticity longer.

Non-absorbent Hyaluronic Acid

Some aesthetic plastic clinics recommend “Aqua Gel” (Aquamid) as non-absorbent hyaluronic acid. They advocate safety of Aqua Gel, but side effects have been reported worldwide. It is very hard to eliminate the injected substance in Aqua Gel when the patient has an allergic reaction to it. It is too late when the patient’s nose or face has swollen and become red. Please use extra caution with non-absorbent hyaluronic acid.

Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid

Both collagen and hyaluronic acid are used for the treatment of wrinkles. Each is used appropriately depending on the area and depth of wrinkles. If an inexperienced doctor performs the hyaluronic acid or collagen injection, the applied skin surface will become irregular or be strung together like beads. This procedure requires experience and good techniques more than a surgery does. Human collagen is expensive, but the scar from human collagen injection is unnoticeable due to the use of a thin needle called 32G. The patient feels little pain with human collagen injection since it contains anesthetic. We inject collagen for the treatment of thin under-eye skin instead of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid fills gaps between skin cells and helps maintain elasticity and water retention of skin. Injection of hyaluronic acid makes skin soft and supple.

Duration of Effects

Effects of collagen and hyarulonic acid injection last for about 6 months to a year. These substances are absorbed in skin safely and naturally wears out. Most patients visit our clinic twice a year for injection. Wrinkles do not disappear no matter how much money you spend on cosmetic products. Injection of collagen and hyarulonic acid is just about the best cosmetic treatment you can give to your skin.

Simultaneous Use of Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid with Botox Injection

Botox injection keeps muscles from contracting, thus prevents wrinkles from forming around the mouth and on the lips. Botox injection is especially effective for wrinkles between eyebrows and “crow’s feet”. Botox injection is gaining great popularity in the U.S. When collagen, hyarulonic acid and botox are simultaneously injected, collagen and hyarulonic acid will not be absorbed easily. In this way, simultaneous use of these substances as injection material prolongs the effect of injection.
Click here for more detailed explanation of Botox.